- In a major decision, Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday, September 28 allowed 4 lakh restaurant, bars, and eatery outlets in the state to start their operations from 1st October.
- Reportedly, dine-in services for restaurants in Maharashtra may be allowed with 50% of the actual capacity from the first week of October in order to contain the virus spread in the state. Certain details of the SOP’s are currently being jointly worked out by the restaurants and the state government.
Amid several measures, the Maharashtra government on Monday, September 28 announced that it is all set to reopen restaurants, bars, and eatery outlets in the state. The announcement comes in the backdrop of the Centre’s upcoming fresh set of guidelines under the Unlock 5 plan – to open the economy gradually amid a novel coronavirus pandemic – for the first week of October.
The state is said to be working on SOPs to reopen bars and restaurants in the state just ahead of Navratri as part of its ‘Mission Begin Again’.
The decision will thus bring curtains on the major section of lockdown — the hospitality industry — which was struggling to get back to normal since unlocking has begun in phases. As around 40% of them are surviving on home deliveries, the majority of employees in these establishments have gone back to native places and have refused to return until the vaccine arrives.
The Times of India reported that some 4 lakh restaurants and other food businesses, including in Mumbai, have agreed to the state government’s condition of allowing only 50 percent capacity so as to follow COVID-19 guidelines on ensuring social distancing.
Sherry Bhatia, president, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI), thanked the Maharashtra CM for assuring them to allow restaurants to reopen in the first week of October, the TOI report said.
It was also reported separately that the Maharashtra government may extend the lockdown by another month but more restrictions are likely to be withdrawn under ‘Mission Begin Again’.
The decision will benefit 60 lakh direct employees and 1.8 crore indirect employees who are into cultivation and supply of agro, dairy, hatcheries, and all other commodities that are consumed in large numbers at these establishments.
